Research Interests

Early detection of cancers using novel biomarkers; Prognostic molecular markers in early detection and prognosis of cancers; Identification of molecular profiles for recurrence of early-stage colorectal cancers; Epigenetic therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer

Biography

Dr. Nita Ahuja is an associate professor of urology, surgery and oncology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Her surgical specialization is in gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric, rectal and pancreatic cancers.

Dr. Ahuja serves as the Director of Sarcoma and Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program and the Chief of Mixed Tumor Services.

Dr. Ahuja obtained her medical education at the Duke University School of Medicine and her training in general surgery at Johns Hopkins. In addition, she completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at Johns Hopkins focused on hepatobiliary malignancies. Dr. Ahuja joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2003.

Dr. Ahuja also directs an active cancer research laboratory studying molecular markers important in early diagnosis and prognosis of gastrointestinal cancer.

Dr. Ahuja was certified in surgery by the American Board of Surgery in 2003.

Residencies

Certifications

Research Summary

Dr. Ahuja's research is focused on the role of DNA methylation in tumorigenesis and exploring the translational potential of these methylation changes. Current studies in the laboratory include the development of biomarkers for early detection of cancer and to predict recurrence in breast and colorectal cancers. Her laboratory has shown that DNA methylation changes can be used in stool DNA as a very sensitive and specific marker for early detection of colorectal cancer.

The laboratory is focused on the development of markers for early detection of cancer using serum. In addition, the laboratory has an interest in studying inflammatory bowel disease associated cancers and has a large tissue bank in collaboration with the surgical specialists who treat these conditions. The laboratory is developing epigenetic therapies for gastrointestinal malignancies and has an ongoing phase II trial in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancers. Dr. Ahuja's laboratory works in close collaborations with Drs. Stephen Baylin and James Herman in the Division of Tumor Biology in the Cancer Center as a multidisciplinary team.

Recent News Articles & Media Coverage

Finding and treating cancer at an early stage can save lives. In this recorded webinar, surgical oncologist Nita Ahuja and gastroenterologist Anne Marie Lennon discuss why symptoms such as bleeding, gastrointestinal issues and unexplained weight change may be cause for concern.